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Misc fan stuff
So I think I'm pretty much over my knee-jerk negative reaction to the WC finale - I'm still nervous about what might happen in the next episode, but I'm feeling a whole lot less gut-punched ... or, rather, still gut-punched, but in more of a good, AAAAAUGH NEED NEXT EPISODE NOW! kind of way. I think I'm a lot more confident that this is going in a direction that's not going to either completely gut me or be emotionally unsatisfying, which were my two big worries at the end of 3x10.
Also, while generally I'm avoiding spoilers (don't spoil me plz?), it helps a lot to know that Kramer is going to be in the next episode, because one of the things that had frustrated me about both 3x09 and 3x10 (at the time that each episode aired) is that it felt like all setup and no payoff. And I think that just as 3x10 was payoff for 3x09 (in terms of the Keller storyline) that 3x11 is probably going to be payoff for most of the dangling threads in the first half of the season: Keller, Peter + Neal, Neal + Mozzie, Kramer + Peter + Neal. I get the impression that the 3-episode sequence is going to turn out to be one long episode in story-arc terms, whereas a lot of my dissatisfaction had been due to approaching each episode in the expectation that it would stand alone. And I'm looking forward to seeing how the dominos that have been set up over the first half of the season get knocked over in the second half.
And I still love the characters a lot. I think that how I ultimately feel about this story arc, overall, will depend on how it resolves itself, but if the final payoff is worth it (*crosses fingers*), this may end up being my favorite out of all their main story arcs. All the previous ones have relied upon introducing outside sources of tension (Fowler, Adler, etc), and I guess we kinda still have that with Keller, but most of the tension revolves around the character relationships that they've built up over the last three seasons. The tension isn't whether they'll get Elizabeth back or defeat Keller or even whether Neal and Peter will continue working together -- none of that, I think, is really in doubt. The tension comes from the way the character relationships are splitting down their fault lines, from the uncertainty about how (or if) they'll put things back the way they were, or if not, what the new shapes will be. And that's good storytelling.
... however, this does mean that I'm back to NO MORE WHITE COLLAR FOR FIVE MONTHS, HAAAAAAALP. *flails* I've already rewatched the last 20 seconds of the finale more times than I want to admit.
Meanwhile in Echo Bazaar:
I finally found a use for the Ridiculous Hat(s)! I don't know why it took me so long to figure out that drastically dropping your skill scores (thus resetting yourself to an earlier point in the game) is actually useful in certain situations - such as when you're trying to build your scores up quickly without having a lot of horrible things happen to you in the meantime. *taps foot and waits for actions to refresh*
This entry is also posted at http://friendshipper.dreamwidth.org/366401.html with
comments.
Also, while generally I'm avoiding spoilers (don't spoil me plz?), it helps a lot to know that Kramer is going to be in the next episode, because one of the things that had frustrated me about both 3x09 and 3x10 (at the time that each episode aired) is that it felt like all setup and no payoff. And I think that just as 3x10 was payoff for 3x09 (in terms of the Keller storyline) that 3x11 is probably going to be payoff for most of the dangling threads in the first half of the season: Keller, Peter + Neal, Neal + Mozzie, Kramer + Peter + Neal. I get the impression that the 3-episode sequence is going to turn out to be one long episode in story-arc terms, whereas a lot of my dissatisfaction had been due to approaching each episode in the expectation that it would stand alone. And I'm looking forward to seeing how the dominos that have been set up over the first half of the season get knocked over in the second half.
And I still love the characters a lot. I think that how I ultimately feel about this story arc, overall, will depend on how it resolves itself, but if the final payoff is worth it (*crosses fingers*), this may end up being my favorite out of all their main story arcs. All the previous ones have relied upon introducing outside sources of tension (Fowler, Adler, etc), and I guess we kinda still have that with Keller, but most of the tension revolves around the character relationships that they've built up over the last three seasons. The tension isn't whether they'll get Elizabeth back or defeat Keller or even whether Neal and Peter will continue working together -- none of that, I think, is really in doubt. The tension comes from the way the character relationships are splitting down their fault lines, from the uncertainty about how (or if) they'll put things back the way they were, or if not, what the new shapes will be. And that's good storytelling.
... however, this does mean that I'm back to NO MORE WHITE COLLAR FOR FIVE MONTHS, HAAAAAAALP. *flails* I've already rewatched the last 20 seconds of the finale more times than I want to admit.
Meanwhile in Echo Bazaar:
I finally found a use for the Ridiculous Hat(s)! I don't know why it took me so long to figure out that drastically dropping your skill scores (thus resetting yourself to an earlier point in the game) is actually useful in certain situations - such as when you're trying to build your scores up quickly without having a lot of horrible things happen to you in the meantime. *taps foot and waits for actions to refresh*
This entry is also posted at http://friendshipper.dreamwidth.org/366401.html with
no subject
I was waiting, actually, for your take on the last WC ep. (yes. I wait for your reactions to see if we're seeing the same things in the show.)
I wish I hadn't missed the 'gut punch' reaction, as it probably would have echoed my own. that said, I have a few ideas.
1. Keller REALLY messed up. I don't think he understands the nature of Neal/Peter/Elizabeth's relationship. (those slash marks are not used in the 'ship' way, but in the 'these three people are linked' way.) My supposition is that he kidnapped Elizabeth, thinking that it would force Peter's hand w/ regard to Neal, and that may be so - we'll have to wait and see. But Elizabeth means something to Neal, too, and I don't think Keller's in on exactly what their relationship is. Neal is going to be ALMOST as upset by this turn of events as Peter is, and I'm not sure Keller understands that. But I have plenty of confidence he will.
2. Peter now knows for sure that Neal has the treasure. But he's still in the dark about how he got it. Neal had nothing to do with the acquisition of the treasure, and now that he's pretty much decided that he's going to leave New York on his own terms - which means he wants to be able to come back any time he wants - Neal can come forward about the treasure. Mozzie moved it. Neal has no idea where it is now, only that it's safe. Is he going to rat out Mozzie? Part of me says 'no,' but there's another part of me that thinks he'll do what it takes to get Elizabeth home. If I were him, I'd figure out a way to pin the treasure-napping on Keller or Adler or anyone else.
3. Keller wanted to create a rift b/t Peter and Neal. I think this plan is going to backfire in so many ways. Elizabeth is a huge part of what made Neal decide he didn't want to leave. And Neal is going to work with Peter to get her back. Keller just sealed the rift that had been growing between them when he took Elizabeth. When they work together, put aside their problems and really go for the mark, then they don't ever fail. And Peter will be willing to let the treasure business go to get Elizabeth back - and so will Neal. When the get her back... well. We'll see what happens, then won't we.
Anyway, those are my percolating thoughts surrounding the midseason finale. Summed up, Keller played the wrong hand. He's now made a grave misread on his targets, and he's going to go down because of it.
no subject
There are two possible ways I can see the next episode going. Unfortunately, I think the more likely option is for Peter and Neal to continue with the mutual distrust (Peter blaming Neal for El's kidnapping; Neal insisting that he doesn't have the treasure - which is technically true - while trying to coordinate with Mozzie on arranging a swap behind the FBI's back). The option I wish they'd take is for Neal to come clean about the whole thing, Peter to believe him, and both of them to put aside their differences and work to get El back, but that's not really where it seems to be headed to me. I'm bothered by the idea of Neal putting the blame on Keller or someone else, and Peter never learning the truth, but it would neatly sidestep the issue of legal accountability, which is going to be a problem if the actual truth comes out ...
And I definitely agree that Keller is playing with fire; he's really sealed his doom with this move (and El is hardly an innocent victim either; I'm hoping that she plays a role in her own rescue, or at least finds a way to sneakily pass messages to Peter while being held hostage). She's not only friends with Neal but also with Mozzie -- probably the only one of a very tiny handful of people that Mozzie would be willing to give the treasure up for.
no subject
(That being said, I have a suspicion that the resolution is going to involve an extension of Neal's sentence - which, if I recall correctly, was 3 years, due to run out the end of this season?)
no subject
On the h/c side, well, I do expect that despite having given us an awesome setup for emotional h/c, the show isn't actually going to deliver any, because Neal and Peter will be at odds for most of the next episode. The show might surprise me, though. (With this show, I think lowered expectations in that area are the best policy. *g*) But I do think that it's very likely they'll use this as an opportunity to extend Neal's sentence one way or another. I think his sentence was actually four years, but still -- the show's a big enough hit for USA network that they've got to be thinking ahead that far. I think it'd be a neat twist if they went ahead, took the anklet off at the end of season four and did something different with the premise (seeing Neal working as a freelance consultant with the FBI would be a totally different dynamic, but after four seasons, a different dynamic might be timely!); however, I don't think they'll change up the show to that extent.
no subject
I wonder if Neal and Peter will be at odds or not...it could play out either way; Peter might be too angry & upset to be thinking clearly, beyond 'if it weren't for Neal this wouldn't have happened' - or he might be desperate enough to trust Neal anyway, and realize that Keller's crimes are not Neal's fault, that whatever games Neal was playing he never would've deliberately done anything to put El in danger. Would like best to see both but yeah, lowered expectations are probably best, and there's always the chance of being pleasantly surprised!
Neal as freelance would be neat, and a different dynamic might be welcome; but USA Network shows tend toward being formulaic to the extreme (which I don't think is really a bad thing; they just do TV the old-fashioned way) so...yeah, I think extending his sentence is likely, if the show is continued.
no subject
When I first watched 3x10, I think I was a lot more (gloomily) certain that Peter would go the blame & attack route than I am now -- actually, I didn't really see him being able to forgive Neal for this, period. El is very much his berserk button, and I was resentful of the show setting it up so that Neal's in the line of fire there. But then I got to thinking about it, and Peter, while he's tightly wound and very volatile in the short term, doesn't really seem to do long-term grudges. He's never held anything that Neal's done against him for more than an episode, tops (and usually a lot less). He was even willing to work with Fowler once it came out that Fowler was being manipulated by Adler, and this was after Fowler had gone after El too, trying to destroy her business. When it comes right down to it, Peter's hot-tempered but he's a fair guy, and I do think he will eventually recognize that Neal never wanted this to happen. Whether he figures that out in time to avoid alienating Neal, or lets anger, hurt and fear get the better of him is the question, I guess ...
No matter what happens, there's no doubt that the two of them care about each other deeply -- and El, of course (and for that matter, I'm pretty sure that Mozzie cares about the Suits way more than he is willing to admit to). I guess what fascinates me about this whole situation is that the show's managed to get the characters rather firmly on opposite sides while still keeping their fundamental affection and respect for each other intact. Whether it can survive the next episode is what worries me ...
no subject
I'm a little bemused by the damsel in distress comments I've seen around. I have never considered El to be anything but strong. In fact, I'm fairly certain she's going to be a big part of her "rescue" from Keller. She was taken because she is Peter's pressure point - the one person he would be willing to do anything for, even something illegal if necessary. I see it more of a reflection of their love for each other than the fact she is female. I also think she's the one person Neal, and possibly Mozzie, might relinquish the treasure for. She is definitely on Peter's side, but she has shown incredible kindness and non-judgmentalness (yes, I just made that word up) to both of them.
Come on, January!
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I really can't wait to find out what happens. I never thought I'd look forward this much to January! *g*
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